Kitzman



July 19, 1955 w. KlTzMAN 2,713,389

ADJUSTABLE SCREEN CONSTRUCTION Filed oct. 24, 1952 IN V EN TOR. I/l//lrazzz fzmem ATTDHNEY United This invention relates to an adjustable screen construction and more particularly to one formed of metal and adapted to be placed in position in a window frame from the interior of the building.

It is common knowledge that window frames which supposedly are of standard sizes vary to such a marked degree that each individual wood framed screen must be fitted to the particular window frame to which it is to be applied and that almost without exception that particular screen canbe applied to no other window in the building. I

The primary object of the present invention resides. in the provision of an adjustable metal screen construction which permits its indiscriminate application to' any one of a number of different sized windows provided that the variation between the sizes' of the windows does not exceed the adjustable limits of the metal screen constructio-ii. n

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved adjustable screen construction wherein the screen is supported on a frame having a xed size and provided with telescopically arranged marginal side members adapted for axial movement .with respect to each other and inward and outward sliding movement with respect to the marginal portion of the frame member to which they are applied and by which the overall length and width of the adjustable screen may be varied to compensate for sizeable diierences in the dimensions of windows to which the adjustable screen a lied. l mliithrpobject of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved screen construction wherein the several parts of the frame are formed of sheet metal adapted to be assembled in a manner which permits relative axial sliding movement of each pair of telescopically arranged marginal portions of the -screen construction and at the same time, permits their inward and outward sliding movement upon a fixed sized screen carrying member to vary the overall length'and width of the screen construction in accordance with the adjusted positioning of the several marginal elements of the device with respect to the xed sized screen carrying member.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of newl and improved means for releasably retaining the adjustable marginal members in desired relationship with the iixed sized screen carrying member to which they are applied. l

Another object of the present inventionV resides in the provision of new and improved linkage mechanism, operatively associated with the respective telescopically .arranged pairs of marginal members, whereby its operation is effective to selectively vary either the length or width of the adjustable screen construction to insure a snugl iit between the marginal edge of the screen and the window frame to which it is applied.

A more specific object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and improved adjustable screen fr 2,713,389 ce Patented July 19, 1955 construction including means for releasably retaining the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged adjustable marginal portions of the frame construction in desired relationship with the screen carrying frame member.

Another specific object of the present invention resides in the provision in a new and improved adjustable screen construction of au aperture formed in the respective corners of a xed sized screen carrying member adapted to receive and limit the movement of an anchoring pin which joins the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged marginal portions of the adjustable screen construction to preclude their accidental separation from the fixed sized screen carrying member.

Another specific object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new andimproved adjustable screen construction wherein its several component parts are formed of sheet metal adapted to be readily shaped by bending to insure the economical production of an adjustable screen construction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of and illustrative embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is an interior or roomside elevational view of an adjustable screen, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, and showing the same iii fitted position in the window frame;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l showing the cooperating relationship between the adjustable screen and the window sill, sash and sash guide rails; Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of one corner of the adjustable screen construction wherein the fuliy extended position of the telescopic marginal portions of the construction are shown in full lines and the fully retracted position of the telescopically arranged marginal portions of the construction are shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and showing the relative position of the several component parts of the corner construction of the device together with the means for releasably retaining the iixed sized screen carrying member and the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged marginal members n associated relationship;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and showing the associated relationship between the telescopically arranged marginal portions of the adjustable screen construction with relation to the fixed sized screen carrying member; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the s parts of the adjustable screen construe assembly to form a unitary structure.

The form of the present invention chosen for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings comprises an adjustable screen construction embodyingv the teachings of the present invention. The present adjustable screen construction includes a rectangular frame member 19 havin" a central opening 11 covered by a screen 12 which ics secured in position by the application of a plurality of metal strips 13 which are retained in proper position on the frame member lil by the application of a plurality of bolts or metal screws 14 which pass through the screen 12 and the strips 13 and frame member lt to retain the screen 12 in desired position ove opening 11 of the frame member 1).

It should be noted at this time that the four marginal edges of the adjustable screen construction are identical in construction and cach include a pair of telescopically arranged axially movable members 15 and i6 with the everal component tion prior to their r the central member 15 being U-shaped and having substantial depth with its front and rear walls being spaced apart a sufficient distance to slidably receive a marginal portion of the rectangular frame member 10. The member 16 within which the member 15 is telescopically movable is simi lar in form to the member 15 save for the fact that it is considerably shorter in length and is provided with a downwardly turned flange 17 formed by a reverse bend of the upper portion of the front leg of the U-shaped member 16. The downwardly turned ange 17 cooperates with the rear face of the forward leg of the member 16 to delineate a guide channel for the forward leg of the U- shaped member 15 to prevent any transverse movement between the members 1S and 16. The member 16 is provided, adjacent one of its ends, with a transversely disposed aperture 18 passing through both of the logs of the U-shaped member 16 and disposed approximately equal distance from the top, bottom and one end of the member 16. The member 15 is provided with a similar' bolt receiving aperture 19 which passes through the spaced walls of the U-shaped member 15 at the end remote from the one telescopically receivable in the member 16. The aperture 19 in the member 15 is likewise disposed approximately equal distance from the top, bottom and one end of the member 15. As the member 15 of one side of the screen is adapted to be associated with the member 16 on the adjacent side of the adjustable screen construction, it is to be understood that the opening between the forward and rear faces of the U-shaped member 16 is of sufiicient width to slidably receive the U- shaped member 15 so that their respective apertures 18 and 19 may be aligned to permit the introduction of a bolt 2G which serves to releasably retain the members 15 and 16 on adjacent sides of the adjustable screen construction in associated relationship to form a corner of the device.

Suitable means is provided for releasably retaining the adjustably positioned telescopically arranged members 15 and 16 properly associated with the frame member 1f) so as to preclude their accidental separation therefrom, The bolt 20 which serves to retain the adjacent ends of the members 15 and 16 in associated relationship to form a corner of the adjustable screen construction passes through an aperture 21 formed in each corner of the frame member (as best illustrated in Fig. 7). The size and shape of each of the apertures 21 is such that either or both adjustable marginal frame members are permitted freedom of movement with respect to the frame member 10 within the limits defined by contact of the anchoring bolt 20 with the marginal edge of the aperture 21. By reason of the above described arrangement, it will readily be seen that a unitary structure has been provided which insures the releasable retention of the several parts of the device in associated relationship and still permits relative adjustment of the several parts with respect to each other without danger of their accidental separation.

Suitable means is provided for efiecting the relative movement between the adjustable marginal members and 16 at each of the identically constructed four corners of the device. The adjusting means comprises a lever and link arrangement by which telescopic movement between the slidably arranged members 15 and 16 may be effected to produce a difference in length or width of the screen construction. and rivet receiving holes 23 and 24 disposed adjacent its respective ends is adapted for rockable mounting at one of its ends on the bolt which retains the members 15 and 16 on adjacent sides of the corner in associated relationship. The other end of the link 22 is rockably mounted on a rivet 25 carried intermediate the ends of an operating lever 26 adapted for rockable mounting adjacent one of its ends on a rivet 27 secured to the outer surface of the outer leg of the U-shaped member 15. With the several parts of the corner construction assembled in the manner previously described, it will A link 22 provided with bolt g readily be seen that if the lever 26 is moved in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 7 that the telescopic members 15 and 16 to which the lever 26 and link 22 are respectively connected will move relative to each other to increase the width of the screen by reason of the fact that their relative movement effects an outward sliding movement of the adjacent member 15 on the frame 10 of the device. Movement of the operating lever 26 in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 7 will effect the foreshortening of the telescopic members 15 and 16 to which the lever and link are respectively connected and thereby effect the inward sliding movement of the adjacent member 15 on the frame 10 to effect a reduction in width of the screen construction.

Since each of the corners of the device are constructed in an identical manner and each is provided with identical adjusting means in the form of operating levers 26 and connecting links 22, it will readily be understood that the operation of the levers 26 disposed at diagonal corners A and B will effect the desired alteration in the width of the screen so that the screen may be positioned in the window frame in the guide way of an open sash and the levers 26 moved toward the sides of the window frames to effect the widening of the screen construction until it engages firmly against the base of each of the sash grooves. In like manner, the height of the adjustable screen construction may be altered by effecting the operation of the levers 26 disposed in the other pair of diagonal corners C and D of the device in a manner similar to that described in connection with the varying 0f the width of the adjustable screen construction.

From the foregoing description of an illustrative em' bodiment of the present invention it will be noted that a simple and effective adjustable screen construction has been provided in which the several cooperating parts are of simple form capable of inexpensive manufacture and readily adapted for quick and easy assembly. In addition to these advantages, it should also be noted that the device of the present invention is capable of application to any one of a number of windows whose size may vary to a considerable degree. A further advantage of this type of adjustable screen construction lies in the fact that the screens are comparatively light in weight, easily handled and readily adapted for positioning and removal in the frame of a Window from the interior of thc building, thus eliminating both the inconvenience and necessity for utilizing a ladder to accomplish the desired results.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail, in the foregoing specification, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its embodiment without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. An adjustable screen construction comprising a fixed sized rectangular screen carrying element, a pair of channel members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said screen carrying element, adjustable operating means connecting the channel members of each pair and movable to adjust the relative position between the members of each pair to selectively vary the length and width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of the respective pairs of members on adjacent sides of said element.

2. An adjustable screen construction comprising a fixed sized rectangular screen carrying element, a pair of telescopically arranged channel members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said element, connecting means between the respective cooperating members of each pair, said connecting means being movable to adjust the relative position between the respective channel members of each pair to selectively vary the length and width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of the members disposed on adjacent sides of said element.

3. An adjustable screen construction comprising a xed sized rectangular screen carrying element, a pair of telescopically arranged channel members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said element, adjustable operating means connecting the respective members of each of the telescopically arranged pairs, said adjustable operating means being selectively movable to vary the overall length of the associated telescopically arranged channel members to adjust the length and Width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged channel members on adjacent marginal edges of said element.

4. An adjustable screen construction comprising a fixed sized rectangular screen carrying element, a pair of telescopically arranged channel members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said element, a lever and link mechanism connecting the members of each of said respective pairs, each of said lever and link mechanisms being selectively movable to vary the position of said associated members with respect to each other to selectively adjust the length and Width of the screen construction, and anchoring means for retaining the adjacent ends of said members disposed on adjacent sides of said element.

5. An adjustable screen construction comprising a xed sized rectangular screen carrying element including a plurality of apertures disposed in the marginal portion of said element adjacent the respective corners thereof, a pair of relatively movable telescopically arranged U-shaped members embracing each of the marginal portions of said element, adjustable operating means connecting thek relatively movable telescopically arranged U-shaped members of each of said pairs of members and movable to selectively adjust the overall length of its associated telescopically arranged members to vary the length and width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of said members disposed on adjacent sides of said element, each of said anchoring means extending through one of said apertures to thereby limit the relative movement of said members with respect to said element.

6. An adjustable screen construction comprlsing a iixed sized rectangular screen carrying element including a plurality of apertures disposed in the marginal portion of said element adjacent the respective corners thereof, a pair of U-shaped telescopically arranged members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said element, adjustable operating means connecting the respective members of each pair, said operating means being selectively movable to vary the overall length of the respective telescopically arranged members to adjust the length and Width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged members on adjacent marginal edges of said element, each of said anchoring means extending through one of said apertures in said element to thereby limit the relative movement of said members with respect to said element.

7. An adjustable screen construction comprising a fixed sized rectangular screen carrying frame having a plurality of apertures in its marginal portion adjacent the respective corners thereof, a pair of telescopically arranged U-shaped members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said element, adjustable operating means connecting the respective members of each of the telescopically arranged pairs of U-shaped members, said adjustable operating means being selectively movable to vary the overall length of the associated telescopically arranged members to adjust the length and width of the screen construction, and anchoring means connecting the adjacent ends of the telescopically arranged members on adjacent marginal edges of said frame, each of said anchoring means extending through one of said apertures in said frame to thereby limit the relative movement of said members with respect to said frame.

8. An adjustable screen construction comprising a fixed sized rectangular screen carrying frame having a plurality of apertures in its marginal portion disposed adjacent the respective corners thereof, a pair of telescopically arranged U-shaped members embracing and movably mounted on each of the marginal portions of said frame, a lever and link mechanism connecting the members of each of said respective pairs, each of said lever and link mechanisms being movable to adjust the position of said associated members with respect to each other to selectively vary the length and width of the screen construction, and anchoring means for retaining the adjacent ends of said members disposed on adjacent sides of said frame, each of said anchoring means extending through one of said apertures in said frame to thereby limit the relative movement of said members with respect to said frame.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 267,519 Grimshaw Nov. 14, 1882 1,206,497 Banks Nov. 28, 1916 1,735,458 Gresak Nov. l2, 1929 

